The National Hurricane Center (NHC) announced on Wednesday that Hurricane Milton has made landfall in Florida as a Category 3 storm, with its northern wall sweeping over the Tampa/St. Petersburg metropolitan area. The NHC issued a warning on social media platform X for extreme wind conditions in this region.
"Residents are urged to take shelter in their homes as these dangerous hurricane-force winds impact the area," the monitoring center emphasized.
Reports indicate that nearby weather stations, such as Egmont Channel and Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, have recorded wind gusts reaching up to 77 mph (124 km/h).
Worsening Storm Conditions
The hurricane's sustained winds are measured at about 127 mph (205 km/h) at its center, while the storm moves northeast at a speed of 15 mph (24 km/h). Authorities caution that the upcoming hours will be crucial for the affected regions.
In a subsequent update, the NHC highlighted that "Milton is close to making landfall along Florida's west-central coast." They also warned of "potentially life-threatening storm surge, damaging winds, and torrential rains across parts of central and southwestern Florida."
Hurricane-Force Winds Lash Gulf Coast
As Hurricane Milton approached Florida, the NHC noted on Wednesday that hurricane-strength winds battered the Gulf Coast, with gusts up to 77 mph (124 km/h) at the entrance to Tampa Bay and sustained winds of 58 mph (93 km/h).
On X, the NHC further reported gusts of 66 mph (106 km/h) at St. Petersburg's Albert Whitted Airport, indicating an intensifying storm effect in the region.
Storm chaser and meteorologist Reed Timmer shared a video on X capturing the moment when Milton's eye reached Florida's shores.
Social media has been flooded with posts showcasing the fierce impact of the powerful Milton as it neared the Florida coastline.